Wife of russian-Imprisoned Journalist Serhii Tsyhipa Presented With Ihor Lubchenko Free Speech Award

Olena Tsyhipa has received the National Union of Journalists of Ukraine’s (NUJU) National Award on behalf of her husband, who is in russian captivity. The ceremony took place at the Borys Hrinchenko Kyiv University during the roundtable called Media and Publishing Business During Wartime.

Serhii Tsyhipa was honored for his exceptional journalistic courage, loyalty to the values ​​of freedom of speech, and indomitable spirit in conditions of russian captivity.

“This award will give him strength,” Olena Tsyhipa said during the ceremony.

The woman is actively fighting for the release of her husband, who was illegally captured by the russian occupiers on March 13, 2022, and sentenced to 13 years in prison on charges of “espionage.”

“We are impressed by your resilience and energy with which you draw the attention of the international community to the fate of not only your husband but also of every civilian hostage,” said NUJU President Sergiy Tomilenko.

The award is named in honor of Ihor Lubchenko, who headed the NUJU from 1997 to 2012 and made a significant contribution to the development of Ukrainian journalism and the protection of freedom of speech. The award is awarded annually to journalists, human rights defenders, and organizations that have achieved significant success in defending the right to freedom of speech.

NUJU Information Service